Support



P. M FORCIER Jan. 17, 1939.

SUPPORT 2 Sheets- Sheet l Filed Dec. 50, 1957 In a b11111!!! A V fiwevzfar Paul/Eirgz'er q qi fi-- Patented Jan. 17, 1939 UNITED STAT PATENT GFFHQE 4 Claims.

This invention pertains to supports for tables or table-like work-supporting devices, for example horses or trestles such as are employed by carpenters for supporting lumber while it is being sawed, and relates more particularly to an im proved support for such devices and to a folding or collapsible table or trestle embodying such support.

Substantially all building operations necessitate the use of trestles, either as temporary supports for material while it is being fashioned or to support planks or other timbers to form staging. Ordinarily such trestles are built as needed and then broken up when the particular job is finished since, in most cases, it is too costly and troublesome to transport them from one place to another. However, the building of such trestles takes time and uses valuable lumber and thus adds materially to construction costs.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved trestle-support and a trestle embodying such support, such that a trestle comprising such support may readily be collapsed when not in use so as to facilitate its transportation from one point to another but which, when in use, is rigid and capable, without fail, of carrying any reasonable load imposed upon it.

A further object of the invention is to provide a folding table or trestle such that the mere operation of folding so disposes the parts that they are automatically locked and need no separate clamping device or the like to prevent accidental unfoldmg.

A further object of the invention is to provide a table or trestle support or leg assembly useful in making tables or trestles and which may be furnished to the user ready for application to a piece of timber, plank table-top or the like and which may be folded into a compact space to facilitate shipment and storage.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed out more fully in the following more detailed description and by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a trestle (the workrest being indicated in broken lines) embodying the present invention, the trestle being set up ready for use;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary end elevation of the trestle of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation, showing the trestle turned upside down and with its legs folded and locked to prevent accidental unfolding;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but showing one of the legs unlocked and ready for unfolding;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section, to larger scale, substantially on the line 5--5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section of a table, for example a card table, embodying the invention;

Fig. '7 is a section, to larger scale, on the line 5 li of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section showing details of construction.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral l designates a rigid work-supporting element or work- 10 rest, for example a piece of plank, a piece of timber, a table top or the like, while the numerals 2 and 3 indicate, in general, supporting devices or leg assemblies made in accordance with the present invention, these supporting devices or leg 15 assemblies 2 and 3 being identical in construction, and, as shown, being applied adjacent to opposite ends of the work-rest member I.

Each of these leg assemblies or supports preferably comprises a bracket made of heavy sheet 20 metal, for example steel, bent as shown in Fig. 2 to form a top member 4, which is normally substantially horizontal, and downwardly divergent ears 5 and ii. The member 4 is so devised as to facilitate its attachment to the top member I; for 25 example, it may be furnished with openings through which bolts, lag screws or the like may be inserted through the member 4 and into the wood or other material of the work-rest I.

The ears 5 and 6 are furnished with aligned openings for the reception of a pivot member such, for example, as the pin 1, the axis of which is disposed substantially parallel to the under surface of the member 4. The ends of this pin 1 may, after assembly of the parts, be headed over or welded to the ears 5 and 6, if desired, or, on the other hand, the pin may be arranged so that it may be removed, for instance, by providing it with openings at its opposite ends for the reception of cotter pins $3 or the like.

The pin l provides a pivotal support for a pair of legs 9 and Hi. Conveniently, though not necessarily, these legs may be made from lengths of channel bar, as shown for example in Fig. 5, wherein the leg 9 is indicated as having the relatively wide fiat side H and the shallow lateral stiffening flanges l2 and 12 While channel bar material is desirable for the purpose, its use is not essential, since other shapes may be employed if preferred. Each of these legs is furnished with an opening near its upper end for the passage of the pin 1.

The pin 7 is spaced from the under surface of the part 4 a distance which does not substantially exceed one-half of the thickness of the leg, that is to say, one-half of the width of the wide face H of the leg.

In the preferred construction, the openings l3 in the legs take the form of elongate slots, the upper end 53 of each slot normally receiving the pin i when the trestle is set up for use. The upper end of each leg is preferably rounded, as shown at W, for example (Fig. 3), and when the trestle is set up, this rounded edge bears against the bracket substantially at the junction of the part4 with the adjacent downwardly directed ear. Each of the ears 5 and 5 is furnished with an inwardly directed positioning stud Hi and i5, respectively, fixed to the ears, for example by welding or otherwise, and when the trestle is set up for use, these studs are designed to enter the lower part of the slot 53 in each leg, thereby positively to prevent swinging of the leg about the axis of the pin 3 in either direction.

To facilitate the entrance of the studs M and I5into the slots i3 in setting the device up for use, a limiting stop or guide rod iii is provided. This rod extends from the ear 5 to the ear 6 and is fixed to the respective ears, as by welding or heading over itsouter ends against the outer surface of the ears. This rod limits the outward swing of the legs in setting up the trestle, so that when the legs engage the pin it the studs Stand l5 are in alignment with the slots 13, and also rigidly unites the free lower portions of the ears 5 and E'so as to make a very rigid and stiff construction. Preferably, the rod iii and the studs i i and I5 are so disposed that the leg swings through an angle slightly greater than 90 in moving from folded to operative position.

Interposed between the upper ends of the legs 9 and iii is a coil spring I! of substantial stiffness, such spring preferably embracing the pin 1 and bearing at its'opposite ends against the respective legs.

A latch bar M (Fig. 2) which, if desired, may be of the same type of-material as the legs, is pivotally secured at E9 to the edge of one of the legs, for example, the leg H3, and is furnished at its opposite end with a hook member 2&3 which is designed'to engage a pin or stud 2i projecting from the edge of the other leg 9. The latch bar 8 is of rigidmaterial and is of such length that in order to engage its hook withthe stud 25 the lower parts of the legsmust be spread apart to such an extent as'to cause the legs to fulcrum about thelower edges 5 and 6 of the ears 5 and B, as shown in Fig. 2, and thus to cause their upperends to move inwardly toward each other, thereby placing the spring ii under compression. When thus compressed, the spring tends to swing the lower ends of the legs inwardly toward each other, and thus provides a reacting pressure between the hook 2S and the pin 2! which effec tively prevents the accidental disengagement of the'hook from the pin.

Preferably, in order to provide an extended support for the lower end of the leg, each leg is furnished at its free end with a shoe 23, for example a piece of angle iron, having one flange pivotally secured at 25 to the leg and having its other flange 25 substantially horizontal and designed to rest on the ground or on the floor and thus to furnish a substantial support for the trestle. Since these shoes 23 are pivotally connected to the legs, they are free to find a good bearing upon a surface which is not exactly hori- Zontal and thus the trestl may readily be set up on an irregular or inclined surface.

Preferably, each hook i8 is furnished with a stop member 22 (Fig. 3) so that when the hook is swung into substantially parallel relation to the leg to which it is secured, the stop 22 will engage the edge of the leg and thus assist in holding the latch in folded position.

When it is desired to fold the trestle for shipment or storage, the hook 2i! is disengaged from stud 2i and the latch bar it is then swung around until its stop 22 engages the corresponding leg. The free or lower ends of the legs are then forced in toward each other against the resisting force of spring ll until the studs i l and 25V are disengaged from the slots it. The legs are now swung away from the pin is until they lie substantially parallel to the under surface of the work-rest l. The ends of the legs are forced in toward each other until the legs are substantially parallel and then the legs are slid endwise, as permitted by the elongate slots iii, until the pin 2' lies at that end it of the slot is which was formerly occupied by one of the studs it or l5. When in this position, a substantial length of the upper part of the leg lies to the left of the pin 1 (Fig. 3) while the remainder of the leg lies to the right of the pivot. Since, as above noted, the pivot i is spaced from. the inner surface of the member 3 a distance not substantially exceeding one-half the thiclniess of the leg, it is now impossible to swing the leg about the pin 1 in either direction, since movement in either direction is opposed by contact of a substantial length of the leg with the part 4.

Assuming that the iegs of both supports 2 and 3 have thus been folded and slid endwise, the trestle may now be handled without substantial danger of unfolding of the legs, it being noted that the spring I 'I always exerts substantial pressure against the inner ends of the legs, tending to spread apart their lower ends and thus always holding the legs in frictional contact with the lowor edges of the ears 5 and 5. Thus substantial force must be usedto slide the legs endwise from the position of Fig. 3 to the position of Fig. 4.

When folded, the trestle may be handled roughly and, in fact, thrown about without danger that the legs will unfold, but it is not necessary to provide any special clamping or retaining means such as have heretofore been commonly necessary for holchng the legs of folding tables or the like collapsed position.

When the trestle is to be set up, it is only necessary to slide the legs lengthwise to the position sh. wn in Fig. 4 in order to permit them to'be swung about pin 5 to the operative position and until they strike the stop bar Hi. When they strike this bar, the slots i3 are then in registry with the studs i i and i5 and the free ends of the legs are now forced toward each other until the studs i4 and 55 can enter the slots l3, whereupon the ends of the legs are released and the studs enter the slots. The latching bars l8 are now swung down until their hooks engage the studs 2 i, the legsbeing slightly spread to allow this and the trestle is now in operative position. When thus set up. the trestle is exceedingly rigid and the parts are so firmly and securely held that there is substantially no danger of collapse, no matter in what direction force may be applied.

Since the supporting structures, including the brackets comprising the parts 4, 5, 6, etc. and their attached legs, may readily be shipped with out the work-rest i and may then readily be applied to a suitable rigid element such as a plank or table top without loss of time, it is thus possible, if desired, to ship the supporting structure to the user without the work-rest and then very quickly to apply the supports. On the other hand, since the complete device may very readily be folded compactly, it is usually convenient, after once having supplied the supports to the part I, to collapse the trestle and thus move it from place to place in its collapsed position, since it does not require a great deal of space, need not be wrapped or otherwise secured to prevent it from unfolding, and is so rugged in construction that no particular care need be exercised to prevent injury to it while being transported.

Referring to Figs. 6 to 8 inclusive, which illustrate the invention as embodied in a folding table, for example a card table, the character l designates the table top or work-rest which, as illustrated, is provided with a pair of substantially parallel spaced cleats l and l. Between these cleats are arranged leg assemblies generally similar to those above described, but differing therefrom in detail. Thus, as shown in Fig. 6, the supporting bracket comprises the top member 4 which is of sufficient length to extend substantially from one of the cleats of the table top to the other and which thus usually underlies a substantial portion of the width of the table top. From the opposite ends of the member 4 integral, divergent ears 26 and 21 extenddownwardly with their lower ends bearing against the inner surfaces respectively of the cleats I and I. As here illustrated, the ears 26 and 27 are furnished with substantially horizontal tabs 28 and 29, respectively, which underlie the bottom edges of the cleats I and I ,such tabs having openings for the reception of screws by means of which the support may be secured to the table top. Other securing means may be employed, if desired, for example, screws or bolts projecting through the member 4* into the table top in the same way as the bolts illustrated in Fig. 2.

The ears 26 and 21 are furnished with openings for the reception of the opposite ends of a pivot rod 1 This rod forms a pivotal support for the legs 9 and Ill which are furnished at their upper ends with elongate apertures l3 (Fig. 8). The axis of the pivot rod I is spaced from the under surface of the member 4 a distance not substantially exceeding one-half the thickness of the leg members so that when the leg members are folded into parallel relation to the member 4 they may be retained in folded position in the same way as the legs 9 and Ill above de scribed.

Instead of a single spring extending the entire length of the rod i it is preferred, as here illustrated, to employ two independent springs I1 and H coiled about the rod l and each bearing at one end against one of the legs and at its other against collars 39 and 3|, respectively, mounted on the rod l These collars 30 and 3| may be adjustable, if desired, as, for example-,- by the employment of set screws for holding them in place.

When the legs are in operative position, as shown in Fig. 6, they are held in proper divergent relation by means of a latch bar I8 pivotally secured to the leg l0 by means of a pivot pin l9 (Fig. 7) and having an opening at the opposite end designed to receive a pin 21 projecting from the leg 9 In order to prevent accidental disengagement of the pin Zi from the aperture in the end of the latch member, a spring 32 may be secured to the latch member and arranged to bear resiliently and frictionally against the head of the pivot pin I B The latch member may be furnished with a stop pin 22 which engages the leg Iii so as to prevent undue swinging of the latch member.

An abutment bar or limiting stop rod i6 extends from the ear 26 to the ear 21, such rod functioning in the same way as the rod I6 above described. Likewise each of the ears 26 and 21 is furnished with a projecting positioning stud W (Fig. 8) which is designed to enter the lower end of the slot I3 in the corresponding leg, when the legs are in operative position, thereby to hold the legs against swinging in either direction about the axis of the rod 1*. However, by moving the lower ends of the legs inwardly, the studs may be disengaged from the slots and the legs may then be swung into parallel relation to the table top and moved endwise into locking position.

While certain desirable embodiments of the invention have been illustrated by way of example, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to the precise construction shown but is broadly inclusive of any and all equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A support of the class described comprising a top member and spaced downwardly divergent side walls, a pair of legs, and connecting means defining a pivotal axis extending from one side wall to the other about which the legs may normally swing, the pivotal connection also being so constructed and arranged as to permit the upper ends of the legs to move toward and from each other along said pivotal axis, said pivotal connection including an elongate slot arranged to per mit longitudinal sliding movement of said legs when swung to substantially parallel relation to the top member, said pivotal connection being so constructed and arranged with relation to the under surface of the top member that when the legs are swung to substantially parallel relation thereto and then slid longitudinally, the legs can no longer be swung about said pivotal axis, each of said walls having an inwardly directed positioning stud, and each of the legs having an aperture designed to receive one of the respective studs thereby to hold the legs in operative position, guard means operative to limit swing of the legs in one direction about the pivot thereby to position the apertures in alignment with the studs, and spring means tending to move the legs outwardly thereby to engage the studs in said apertures.

2. A support of the class described comprising a normally horizontal top member having provision for attaching it to a part to be supported, a pair of spaced, downwardly divergent ears depending from the top member, a pivot member extending from one ear to the other, a pair of legs each having an elongate aperture adjacent to one end, the pivot pin passing through the apertures in both legs, a spring interposed between the upper ends of the legs and tending to move them apart, a stud projecting inwardly from each ear, a limiting stop operative to limit swing of the legs in one direction and to position them for engagement with the studs in the apertures of the legs, the lugs, when so engaged, preventing swing of the legs in either direction, a latch-bar pivotally secured to one leg and having a hook at its opposite end, a stud carried by the other leg for engagement by a hook, and a stop carried by the latch-bar for engagement with the leg to which it is pivoted thereby tolimit swing of the latch-bar when not in use.

3. A support of the class described comprising an attaching bracket having an elongate top member designed to extend along the under surfaceof a table top for a substantial distance and having a pair of downwardly divergent ears at opposite ends, respectively, said ears having provision for securing them to the table top, a pair of legs each having an elongate longitudinal aperture adjacent to one end, a pivot member extending from one ear to the other and passing throughapertures of both legs, said pivot memher being spaced from the under surface of the top member of the bracket a distance not substantially exceeding one-half the width of the leg whereby, when the leg is swung into substantially parallel relation to the top member of the bracket and then slid longitudinally, as permitted by said aperture, the leg can no longer be swung about said pivot pin, coiled springs embracing the pivot member, each spring bearing at one end against one of the legs, respectively, abutments secured to the pivot member for engagement with the opposite ends of. the respective springs, and positioning lugs projecting from the respective ears and engageable in the apertures of the legs for holding the latter in operative position.

4. A support for tables, trestles or the like comprising an attaching bracket having a top member and a pair of downwardly divergent ears, a pair of legs each having an elongate aperture adjacent to one end, a pivotal connection including a pivot pin extending from one ear to another and passing through the apertures in both legs, the pivotal connection being so constructed and arranged-as to permit the upper ends of the legs to move toward and from each other along said pivot pin, a stud projecting inwardly from each ear, each stud being engageable with a portiosof the elongate aperture in one of the legs when the legs are in operative position thereby to prevent the legs from swinging in either direction about the pivot pin, a rigid bar operative to hold the free ends of the legs in spaced divergent relation, and a spring urging the opposite ends of the legs apart.

PAUL M. FORCIER. 

